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The first half of the book is more informative than the second half. Most of the second half are fillers.

The thesis of this book is that there are two types of communication. One is language from the center which:

1)Directs rather than responds2)Makes statements3)Contextualizes with authority4)Contradicts, argues, and disagrees5)Practice affect of control.

The other type of communication is language from the edge which:

1)Respons rather than directs2)asks questions3)contextualizes with strategies4)avoids open argument5)Practices conversational maintenance

To be an effective communicator, one must know how and when to communicate effectively in either styles. The book provides insights on how and when that might be.

Overall, reading this book and applying its methods will make you a better communicator, but probably not by much. But improving your communication even by 5-10% will probably make a difference in your career and life. So I recommend this book for its worthwhile content and methods.

If it isn't bad enough that I can't share my eBook for longer than 2 weeks and I have to pay more than a paperback I now realise there is also a limit on how many devices I can use it on (and a device reset is considered a new device according to eKindle). I don't see why there should be any limit on how many devices I use this book on. I'm not especially quick to change my devices but over 3 years I think most people would have 2 phones and 2 tablets and I've had to reset one a couple of times.

This is the final straw for my preference for Kindle books. I'm going back to paperbacks from The Book Depository.

Personal development books especially should be for future reference. With rules like this, it would cost $350 to own The Pyramid Principle over the last 20 years.

i work in corporate sales, and the examples the author references I have seen a thousand times. I have been a victim of a Center speaker cutting me off to establish leadership and control conversation. I have noticed I have been an Edge speaker most of my career, try to placate and be "the nice guy". Just knowing communications style is enough to realize the power that your voice and positioning can have in group settings. If you are stuck, feel you can offer more, not getting ahead, then you need to focus on your ability to communicate more directly and powerfully and more importantly, know WHEN to do it. This book does a great job of explaining these factors and you will know what you need to concentrate on.

Leadership is about language and communication. Sarah McGinty is an expert in the field of linguistics and her book offers us the opportunity to improve our patterns of speech to become a linguistic leader. She breaks down speech patterns into two basic modes of communication. These modes are referred to as "Language from the Center" and "Language from the Edge". The first of these conveys the pattern that is typically associated with leadership including knowledge, trust and authority. The later mode conveys responsiveness and collaboration.

"Language from the Center" is authoritative and tends to direct the flow of conversation. It makes statements, argues, and leads the listeners to where the speaker wants them to go. It also conveys competence, knowledge and a feeling of trust in the speaker by the nature of the confidence expressed. This mode also tends to use facts and strong analogies to make a point and demonstrate their expertise.

"Language from the Edge" is responsive rather than directive. It tends to ask questions, avoid argumentation and explore others' opinions. It explores, brings others into the conversation and seeks to gather information, to learn and listen instead of direct. In this mode objections may come in the form of a question rather than a bold statement. Some careers require this mode of communication including teachers, therapists, and counselors. In these professions communication is first gathered and secondarily is expressed with expertise when their opinion is needed.

The purpose of Power Talk goes far beyond the definition of these speech patterns. McGinty clearly shows how one can combine both modes into an effective unified communication style. By cross-training these linguistic modes a speaker is now able to immediately draw the positive aspects of both. The author believes that different situations require different communication styles and adapting the right language for the given situation will lead to greater success. The result is a linguistic toolbox referred to as power talk. However, this is not an easy task. It requires the speaker to examine himself or herself internally and discover how we sound to others. One must become aware of their own speech patterns and the speech patterns of others. Then by practice, sampling and observation the speaker can increase the effectiveness of their communication. McGinty explains how this process can work and she maintains that power talk can improve communication skills leading to greater influence and career advancement.

The auditor did not provide any exceptionally brilliant idea about how authority might be built. The book was full of day-to-day techniques that you and I are using everyday in our lives, though without being aware so.I give it four stars since the auditor was able to structure those common techniques into a framework, a clear and concise one. The framework itself is interesting too. The auditor considered that our choice of speech was related to power situation. The power network and stiuation shaped our speech style and our style would at the same time impact the situation. Thus, an intentional carefully chosen style of speech might help to change the situation in the way we want.This is perhaps the most insightful and useful idea of this book.Not a classic book on communication skills but still worth reading it.

This book has very specific suggestions for correcting common communication problems which can be career killers. I have recommended it to many people who are having work difficulties. If you keep getting into unproductive arguments or have trouble getting your points across, you should really read this book.